Mr. Renenger and Mr. Russell presented “Proposed Tax Law Changes Under the New Administration and Their Impact on Shareholder Liquidity, Mergers & Acquisitions, ESOPs and other Business Transition Strategies,” in which they addressed how potential tax changes under the new administration may impact the ability of shareholders to achieve tax-efficient liquidity. Mr. Renenger and Mr. Russell specifically focused on how these potential changes may impact mergers and acquisitions, business succession and transition strategies, ESOPs, estate planning and dividend recaps.

Edward C. Renenger, a Stevens & Lee Shareholder, assists companies in navigating the complexities of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). He advises business owners on how to sell their companies to its employees through an ESOP, and advises on other ESOP-related transactions, including situations where ESOP-owned companies sell to outside buyers when they have determined that exiting the ESOP structure is appropriate for shareholders.

Mr. Renenger works with the range of ESOP-owned companies, including S Corporations, C Corporations, private companies, publicly traded companies, companies that are wholly owned by the ESOP trust and companies in which the ESOP is a minority owner. He also counsels ESOP trustees on their fiduciary obligations under ERISA in ESOP-related transactions and when unique situations arise in an established ESOP.

He holds a J.D., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A., summa cum laude, from The Catholic University of America.

Mark B. Russell, Senior Managing Director, Griffin Financial Group, works extensively with business owners, evaluating their business and personal situations and assisting them in preparing for succession of or exit from their businesses. To accomplish this, he takes business owners through a process designed to help them identify their goals and objectives, then performs an exhaustive analysis of various alternatives (including management buyouts, ESOPs, recapitalizations, and minority or majority sales of the business) to ensure business owners have the information necessary to decide the best path to achieve their goals.

As a CPA, a CFP, an MBA and a lawyer, Mr. Russell provides an important link between clients and their accountants and lawyers to creatively address accounting, tax and financial planning issues. Prior to joining Griffin, he served as a National Tax-Product Development Manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Russell received an LL.M. in Taxation, with distinction, from Georgetown University Law Center, a J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law, an MBA from Texas Tech University School of Business and a BBA in Accounting from Texas Christian University. He holds Series 79, 7 and 66 licenses from FINRA.